Exeter Racecourse’s Hannah picks up her race riding reins for charity

Exeter Racecourse’s Regional Business Development Executive Hannah Hawkins is one of 12 riders who has been selected to take part in The Jockey Challenge, a one mile five furlong charity race that takes place at Warwick Racecourse on May 25 in aid of The Air Ambulance.

Hannah, 24, whose day to day job involves dealing with racing hospitality and sponsorship, is well placed to take part in the race having ridden in point-to-points. She’s had 25 rides in all and has won four times on a horse called Mister Moonax.

Given Hannah is barely five foot tall, and as light as a feather, that feat is all the more remarkable, but riding in the charity race has prompted her to dig out her racing kit and ride in point-to-points again.

“To get fit for the race, I’ve been riding out locally before work, and hopefully I will also ride again in point-to-points. Because I am so small I have to carry a lot of lead but I am still classed as a novice rider, which means I can claim a bit of weight. I loved it racing and training Mister Moonax myself up on Exmoor at Simonsbath where my parents, Trudi and Andrew, farm,” she said.

Hannah’s great uncle, the trainer Chris Down who lives near Cullompton, will be providing the horse. “I’m delighted to be helping Hannah and it's such a good course. We’ll be lending her Ladies Dancing for the race who is a real favourite in the yard, and will look after her too. Hannah is familiar with him too, as she’s ridden him out when she used to come here while she was at Exeter University,” he said.

For Hannah, riding at Warwick will enable her to raise valuable funds for a charity dear to her heart. She explained: “As excited as I am to be involved in this, the real reason I have thrown my name into the hat is to raise money for an extremely important charity, The Air Ambulance. Many of my friends, family and acquaintances are constantly involved in various different equine related sports like hunting, racing and eventing and the air ambulance has proved vital in the past.”

To ride in the race, Hannah needs to raise £1000 for the charity. To support her visit her Just Giving page.